Navigating your next chapter: Resources for graduating seniors
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 13, 2025) — Dear seniors,
No one tells you how strange your last semester of college feels. You are holding onto these past three to four years of your life, while trying to prepare for the future and your next step. It can be overwhelming. It is closing one chapter and beginning the next.
Regardless of where your life will take you, remember this is a fresh start.
The University of Kentucky provides many important resources to get you started in writing this next chapter.
The Stuckert Career Center is a great resource to help you prepare for what’s next. Within the career center, you can take the career assessment. There are also professionals available to work with you on your future career and what you might be interested in.
If you are concerned about your resume, don’t worry. Resume labs and professional document reviews are available. If you need a headshot, there is also a free headshot photo booth available for you to use.
There is also a meeting platform to work on your Handshake, LinkedIn and Wildcat Network personal branding. Having all three of these pieces perfected will make your job search easier. If you are past the applying stage but need help with an interview, there is also interview prep available at the Stuckert Career Center. It’s on Rose Street and open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
If you are looking for a fully online option, you can check out Wildcat Works — a career readiness program. This program is designed to allow students to assess and develop their professional skills.
When preparing for an interview, if you are unsure of what to wear, you can go visit the Wildcat Wardrobe. This is a free professional clothing service for students that provides professional attire, scrubs and more. It’s in Patterson Office Tower in the Mezzanine.
Attending career fairs at UK is also a great way to meet employers and establish connections. When attending a career fair, make sure to look professional and bring a printed resume with you. Remember: Don’t be nervous and try to talk to as many people as possible. Connections can open many doors.
The UK Recruiting calendar has a broad list of events to help you prepare for that next step. You can also check out the HireBlue career fairs website to keep up with upcoming events. Going to multiple fairs will grow connections and increase your opportunities for jobs.
When gearing up for career fairs or a job interview, be sure to utilize the Big Interview access to perfect your interviews and interactions. Big Interview provides mock interviews tailored to your specific major.
If your next step is graduate school, professionals are ready to help you prepare for it. There is also free GRE test prep available. Transformative Learning, through the Office of Student Success, provides free ETS-certified GRE prep seminars for UK students.
If you don’t know where to start, don’t panic. Begin by talking to someone in the Integrated Success Coaching office. When you visit this office, a coach is paired with you to help maximize your potential. Coaches want to help you do better and achieve your goals, whatever they may be.
If you are overwhelmed with graduation, you aren’t alone. Many seniors feel this way and there are resources available to help you navigate this time of your life.
The UK Counseling Center has many different ways to ease your anxiety. You can begin by making an appointment with the Triage, Referral, Assistance, and Crisis Support (TRACS) service. It’s designed to provide immediate support.
If you need someone to talk to for a quick conversation, feel free to drop in for the Let’s Talk service for a conversation with a mental health clinician.
Graduating is something that you have been working so hard to accomplish. This time is exciting and asks a lot of you as a student. Be sure to keep up with your grad checklist and order your cap and gown all on the UK Commencement website.
Remember, you aren’t alone, and how you are feeling matters. There are many resources available to ensure your success.
Know that you have all the tools you need for this next chapter of your life. You have made it this far, stay strong and get that degree!
Sincerely,
Your Biggest Champion
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.